"Aspiring Space Nations" documents, with illustrations, tables, references, and indices, the significant parts played by around 50 small countries in the worldwide development of space science and technology. It explains the political reasons, strategic importance, influence on education and politics, and the long-term future of these nations' will to challenge this "new frontier."

The authors review and report on the national efforts in space that are being developed in the world outside of the powerful players of the USA, Russia, China, Europe, and Japan and the emerging space powers of Brazil, Israel, Iran, South Korea and North Korea, among others. The book gives inside views of small and medium-sized nations pushing ahead with their space activities in the high-tech fields of energy, manufacturing, and transportation. Many of these nations are acquiring experience and knowledge through international partnerships and by technology transfer.

This book show how the use of space is considered a strong stimulus to create high added-value products and services at national, regional, and global levels. Space gives birth to profitable businesses and many new jobs in research and applications and thus fuels the growing interest in developing countries to acquire the systems to exploit the world of space for domestic purposes and for international power and prestige.

"Aspiring Space Nations" examines the space programs of a growing number of nations who are now able to send satellites into space without having their own launch facilities.